What I Have Learned About Action Research

Action Research:  What I Have Learned

I was dreading this class because I really disliked research during my high school and college days (a very long time ago).  I felt like I researched for research sake and there was no redeeming purpose.  The word “research” had a bad connotation for me, but then I learned about ACTION research.  Action research goes beyond traditional research because it is initiated by the local experts, not outsiders, and involves problems and situations that are relevant to YOUR school.

After choosing an area of inquiry, an administrator reads literature on that subject to create a practical plan or project that creates data and can be evaluated.  When you take the time to investigate and expound on a selected issue, why not go one step further and see if the research is viable by putting it to the test in a project and then reflect on the results?

I believe what makes action research so powerful is finding a problem or area of interest to you as an administrator, something that peaks your curiosity, that will make a difference in your school. Action research utilizes the unique situations of individual schools with their own set of students, and solves issues that are problematic to that particular school. The action research data and findings may make remarkable improvements to that specific school.